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Show Someone the Ropes
Show Someone the Ropes English, baby! Video Lesson

Learn English with this teaching English lesson

Date: Feb 18 2014

Themes: Soap Opera, Work

Grammar: It's vs. Its

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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When a sailor is learning his or her job, one responsibility that person must learn is how to adjust the sails on the ship. The sails are large pieces of cloth that use wind to move the ship along, and the sails are made taller or shorter, and moved from side to side with ropes. If a sailor doesn’t understand how the ropes work, bad things can happen. A ship can crash, or worse, become lost in the ocean.

If someone is going to show you the ropes, it means that they are going to show you how to do something. It’s common that a person new on a job will need to learn new tasks and skills, or even where to find things in the office. That’s all part of learning the ropes of a new position. You have to be aware of what’s expected of you and know how to handle your new responsibilities.

Find out who’s all ears and ready to be shown the ropes in today’s English lesson.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Amanda

Amanda

Marni

Marni

Amanda:  OK. So, I’ve made a list of everything that I do and I’m ready to show you the ropes.

Marni:  Great. I’m all ears.

Amanda:  First of all, I am the main contact for all of the big investors. If an investor calls, it’s your number one priority.

Marni:  OK. Investors are my priority. Got it.

Amanda:  Now if there are any technical problems with the website, I don’t need you to fix it, but I need you to be aware of everything that’s going on. OK?

Marni:  OK. Know about technical problems.

Amanda:  When a client calls, I usually like to handle it, but that’s probably something that Jeff and Lily can help you with.

Marni:  OK. Answer client questions.

Amanda:  OK. Now behind, these are all of my important files. All right?

Marni:  OK.

Amanda:  In front, all of the phone numbers and all the email addresses of all of our clients in my computer.

Marni:  Files behind desk, important contacts on the computer.

Amanda:  OK. Basically, you should kind of be aware of everything that goes on around here. OK? Some of the big investors, they have my cell phone number. And sometimes they call me at home. You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to.

Marni:  Really? You let them call you at home?

Amanda:  Well, only one or two. But you don’t have to do that.

Marni:  OK. Good!

Amanda:  And you don’t necessarily have to give them your personal email address, or take them to dinner or drinks, nights and weekends.

Marni:  Really? You do all of those things?

Amanda:  Well, it’s kind of part of the job. It’s how you build a business.

Marni:  Amanda, I had no idea how hard you worked. Are you sure I can handle this?

Amanda:  Absolutely. Yes. And now that I’ve had a chance to show you the ropes, go ahead and ask me any question you have.

Marni:  OK. I guess what I really want to know is will you be staying until the end of the week?

Amanda:  I will. Don’t panic. You’ve got this! Feel that?

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Amanda is getting ready to let Marni start doing her job. She’s showing Marni where to find everything she’ll need to do Amanda’s job while she’s gone with her new baby. Marni is writing everything down so that she won’t forget. It’s a lot to remember!

As they talk, Marni begins to realize that Amanda’s job is much bigger than she thought it was. Marni will have to know everything that’s going on with the company, as well as keep the investors happy. She didn’t really understand until now that Amanda was working so much, even on the weekends. Marni is starting to wonder if she’s going to be able to handle all of this new responsibility.

Can Marni do Amanda’s job for her? Have you ever had to show someone the ropes of a new job?

 

Comments

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bravevivian

Ecuador

I think Marni would have some trouble doing Amanda’s job at the beginning.  But after a while she will be fine, everything is about practicing.


I’ve had to show someone the ropes many times, I used to work for a company where people from different countries came to work to mine.  So, each time a new colleague arrived I had to show him o her the ropes of the job.

06:14 PM Feb 24 2014 |

magnolia7

magnolia7

South Korea

Sometimes it’s enjoyable to show students the ropes including research ways, but often it’s hard. 

10:51 PM Feb 18 2014 |

1 person likes this

ttsuka

ttsuka

Japan


I hope Marni is up to the task. Otherwise, E-Baby will close down! The thing is it seems Amanda was a little late to prepare Marni for the transition.  Anyhow, who are the clients? Probably, they are talking about advertising sponsors. As far as we users are concerned, we are all very friendly, polite and understanding individuals. We are behind you. So, don’t worry too much, Marni. It’s gonna be a piece of cake.  

09:02 PM Feb 18 2014 |

ahmet55

ahmet55

Germany

It seems that Amanda has to put herself OUT TO PASTURE for a while bcz she should do her BEST ACTIVITY SINCE THE SLICED BREA.I mean engendering the child.


Anyway, in my idea, why not. Absolutly, I don’t want to GET MARNI’E HOPES UP. But, there is nothing to lose for her. I don’t think her job would not involve in some kind of hardship work with lots of problems which need to be PULL THROUGH. Bcz she is NEW KID ON THE BLOCK in this work she has got a little bit nervous feeling. All things she should do are to be aware of all information which has been told by Amanda along with she has to GET HER DUCKS IN A ROW, properly. She will not achieve anything unless she works harder at starting. 


This lecture RANG TRUE to me so much. Actually, 2 years ago when i commenced my master’s project at plant, there was nobody to show me the ropes even my supervisor!!!!. Even though I did so much wrong to find the right methods but, it was a practical point to me. Thereupon, whenever sb comes for a first time in here, i transfer all of my laboratory and industrial experiences during these 2 years to them, accurately and completely. 


In addition to, there is an Azarian (also Turkish) proverb that says (el eli yoyar, el donib ozo yoyar) one hand washes another one, then both of them clean up face soon afterwards. This tip means to help each other to receive help from others.

06:52 PM Feb 18 2014 |

Lankiks

Denmark

Yes as a teacher I have shown many students the ope….and now I want Englishbaby to show me the robe – in that way.


06:32 PM Feb 18 2014 |

Jasonlongo

Jasonlongo

Congo, Democratic Republic Of The

Yeah OMG ! In 2010 I heard a Jason Derulo’s song where he sang: Just leave with me now …. I’ll be your teacher and I’ll show you the ropes, but I couldn’t understand the passage. English baby is the perfect place to learn English.

06:10 PM Feb 18 2014 |

1 person likes this

jef_maiko

jef_maiko

Brazil

Yes, I already showed someone the ropes. It is part of the process, when you become senior in your position. It’s natural you have to show someone ney the ropes…..

04:03 PM Feb 18 2014 |

1 person likes this

Jobee

Jobee

China

I guess it is no easy for marni to handle all of the new responsibility.But Amanda is about to leave at the end of the week,marni has some time to adjust.Showing someone ropes is a hard thing than we expected.you have to teach and check and teach again and check again.and the learner will have to be all ears and practise and ask questions.kind of complex.

01:37 PM Feb 18 2014 |

Linn89

Singapore

It sounds a lot to handle for Marni. I guess she won’t be able to do Amanda’s job steadily. I have had to show someone the ropes of a new job… 

12:40 PM Feb 18 2014 |

1 person likes this

S&W

S&W

China

Marni needs time to absorb all the information from Amanda.To be patient to let herself to adjust that new responsibility. 

09:52 AM Feb 18 2014 |

1 person likes this

ynbrian86

China

Actulally i ever showed my new colleague before after i interviewed them a couple of months ago .this is first time for interviem ,i am also a little nervous as the candidates were.

09:48 AM Feb 18 2014 |

mehdimansiz

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I showed a man the ropes of accounting in a company when I wanted to continue my education & wanted to leave that company


08:22 AM Feb 18 2014 |

1 person likes this

modaher

modaher

Iraq

Yes, learning is not a shortage. But shortages that are located in the mis several times and did not learn?

03:33 AM Feb 18 2014 |

AryelLanes

AryelLanes

Brazil

I know how Marni feels. Been there… Taking a new job is something really exciting and scary at the same time. Exciting because you can make new friends, learn new things and get a new chance to stand out in the crowd, and scary because you don’t know exactly what’s waiting for you. 


Having someone to show you the ropes is fundamental! Especially when the tasks are a bit delicated. I myself have already had to break in new employees… It was fun! :)

11:00 AM Feb 17 2014 |

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